Current News

Update on Competition fees

To all Registered Competitors of Dressage Southland

At our recent AGM we discussed the increase of ongoing costs of running our Dressage Tournaments and how it is becoming more of a struggle for our Tournaments to break even and be sustainable with today’s costs and expectations.These increasing costs are mainly due to having to fly more judges down to ensure we have the required Judges as per Dressage NZ requirements (unfortunately for us flying North to South is particularly expensive!!) and now paying our judges a fee per day (we were one of the very few Groups who weren’t paying judges).After much discussion we came to the decision of making a Judges Fee of $20 per rider for each tournament.This decision was not made lightly and many options were talked over before coming to this.The Dressage Southland Committee feel that this decision will help to ensure that we meet all the expectations and requirements placed upon us.We will also endeavour to seek other ways of fundraising to ensure that we can keep entry costs as low as we possibly can!!!

Many thanksDressage Southland Committee

New Judges!!!

Are you interested in becoming a Dressage Judge and being more involved in the sport you love?

Dressage Southland are constantly seeking interested people to begin the process which can assist with training and riding skills, and become

part of an knowledgeable and enthusiastic group. All help and support will be given to you, as you progress through the varies steps.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Nolene Keen, Dressage Southland Area Judges Officer, email; keenfortune@clear.net.nz and make the first step today

Official Photographer - Krystal Mack Saunders

Krystal Mack Saunders will be the official photographer for Dressage Southland for the upcoming 2018/19 season. Thanks so much Krystal.

Membership Updates from Conference 2017 - these changes are effective 1 July 2017

Saddlery Warehouse Series

New Regulations for Helmets

Helmets: From 31 July 2017 The helmet standard EN 1384 will no longer be legal to compete in. The new standard is VG1 so if you plan on buying a new helmet please check the safety standard so you don’t get caught out. This affects all brands including KEP.

Also with the helmets, if the helmet has another standard as well as the EN1384 it is still fine to use.

Judges News

Updated Dress Code

Rules Update

Recently there have been a number of queries raised with the Dressage Sports Manager and Rules Officer regarding the use of Tracking Video Cameras (e.g. Soloshot cameras) during competition.

Following a review of the relevant rules it has been determined that these types of cameras, which require the rider to wear a transmitter that communicates back to the video camera, are not permitted inside the competition arena. If the rider (or horse) wears the transmitter inside the competition arena, elimination will result. The same position applies to newly released Smart Watches which have communication capability.

The Tracking Video Camera and Smart Watches can be used in training and during the competitor’s warm up.

The following is a summary of why Tracking Video Cameras and Smart Watches cannot be used in the competition arena at any competition run under Dressage NZ and FEI Rules.

1. The Dressage NZ Rules are silent as to the use of Tracking Video Cameras and Smart Watches.

2. In cases where our Dressage NZ Rules are silent, Dressage NZ looks to the FEI Rules. In the event the FEI Rules cover the issue of concern, that rule will apply.

3. Under article 427 (5) "Earphones and/or other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited at FEI Dressage Competitions whilst competing, and such usage is penalised by elimination. Earphones or similar devices are however permitted during training and warm-up".

We take this opportunity to remind all interested stakeholders, i.e. competitors, judges, officials and volunteers there will be a Dressage NZ planning forum in April 2015. If you would like to provide feedback or comment on this ruling or any of our present Rules and Regulations, please contact your local Area Delegate, Sports Manager or the Rules Officer.

QR codes, scanner Apps and URL short-codes are not the usual language of dressage but they are terms that riders, officials and fans will soon become familiar with

Dressage NZ has teamed up with Feilding based Harvey Bell from EventsApps.net to develop an App linked to its Rules and an Events Calendar covering dressage events in NZ run under ESNZ rules.

“We were presented with a vision of what the proposed App could deliver and we loved the concept . We are blown away by the final result and look forward to exploring what other information we can deliver to our competitors, officials, sponsors and fans using this technology.”

Although NZ may be geographically isolated from the European hub of equestrian sport, we can still produce some world class technology using local expertise to support the sport right here in NZ.

One of the significant advantages of the technology track of this App is that it is web based and can be accessed by any computer device (mobile, laptop or PC) with a JavaScript enabled Internet Browser and avoids the need to go to iTunes® and Google Play® or wherever else.

We often hear of quotes for Apps that is off putting for sport organisations, most of whom are running on tight budgets. EventsApps.net has developed a platform for its speciality that offers an affordable

App solution; the source information just needs to be presented in a prescribed MS® Excel® or Word® templated format and from that the App can be created (and hosted). And all the work is undertaken in NZ.

The great thing about this App is Dressage can provide it free to members and fans